London drops out of 2022 Commonwealth Games race

Games - 18 May 2017

Author: Callum Murray

London has dropped its interest in hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games, leaving Birmingham and Liverpool still in the race, after Manchester also said that it will not stage the games alone, albeit it could host some events if Liverpool’s bid is successful.

Australia, Canada, Malaysia and England have all submitted expressions of interest in hosting the games, after Durban was stripped of the event in March, having failed to meet criteria demanded by the Commonwealth Games Federation.

A formal decision on an English bid is due to be made later this year, and the CGF has said that it hopes to select a replacement host in the autumn.

A statement from the mayor of London’s office said: “It is great that four countries - including several UK cities - have expressed an interest in bidding to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“While London remains focused on delivering the biggest sports event of this year - the IPC and IAAF World Athletics Championships - we wish the UK bidders every success in winning the rights to host the Games in 2022.”

Glasgow staged the games in 2014, while Manchester was the
host in 2002. Gold Coast in Australia will host the next edition in 2018.

Durban was awarded the 2022 games unopposed in September
2015 after Edmonton withdrew its bid, citing falling oil prices, but
subsequently failed to sign the host city contract, to establish an organising
committee and to obtain vital government guarantees to underwrite the cost of
staging the games or make payments to the CGF.